March 28, 2024

Get Ready for the Raptors!

September 2022 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Posted

(August 1, 2022) – Get up close with eagles, hawks and owls at Raptor Weekend, head out on an early birding walk, or enjoy an evening stroll and search for nature at night. Enjoy the cooler weather and head outside in September!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. To view a listing of programs and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Raptor Weekend
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
September 10 & 11, 2022; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Eagles, Owls, Hawks, and Falcons, formidable and magnificent predators of the sky, are descending on Bristol, Rhode Island in September! Razor-sharp talons, extraordinary strength, hooked beaks and highly developed eyesight and hearing make raptors the rulers of the avian world.

Wildlife rehabilitators and experts from across the Northeast will bring a wide variety of these extraordinary birds to the largest raptor celebration in New England. Enjoy live raptor presentations, educational programs, games and activities for bird enthusiasts of all ages.

General Admission: Adult: $17. Child ages 4 - 12: $12
Family Four-pack: $55
Children under age 3 are free. For details and to purchase tickets online visit www.asri.org 

For the Raptor Weekend press release and photos, email hfoley@asri.org
Raptor Weekend is sponsored by RI PBS.

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Fabulous Fall Foliage!
September 3, 2022; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public on the first Saturday of every month. Join Audubon for nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes, and more. No need to register!
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Craft Table
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Fabulous Fall Foliage! Take a walk with an Audubon naturalist to look for signs of fall: changing leaves, fall flowers, migrating wildlife, and more!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Bats and Beer
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
September 4, 2022; 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Join Audubon for an evening of outdoor exploration and local brews! Start with a brief presentation to learn about the bat species that live in the area and sample some beer. Then head out to the pond to watch resident bats at work catching their evening meal. Please bring a flashlight. Meet at the white barn.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Flying, Walking, and Other Odd Creatures of New England and Beyond
Photography Exhibit by Ron Valiquette
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
September 4 – October 31, 2022; 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Ron Valiquette was introduced to photography when he was 14 years old by the photo editor of the Woonsocket Call. The editor acted as Ron’s mentor for years and would publish his work on occasion in the newspaper. Originally focused on black and white landscapes, Ron now focuses on wildlife. His exhibit will primarily focus on images taken in New England, although a few will be included from his international travels.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Labor Day Nature Activities
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
September 5, 2022; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
End the summer with Audubon! Come to the Nature Center and Aquarium and enjoy crafts, a nature hike, a shore exploration, and more. No registration required.
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Craft Table
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm: Animal Interviews
1:00 pm: Shore exploration
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across Rhode Island
September 7, 14, 21, 28, 2022; 9:00 – 11:00 am
Audubon offers small-group Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Advance registration is required. Location will be sent to registered participants in advance.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2023; 9:00-11:00 am; Fee: $5/member, $10/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Insect Phylogeny: Learning About our Six-legged Neighbors
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
September 14, 2022; 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Join Audubon for an evening lecture about the major groups of insects we encounter every day, learn about their identifying characteristics, and receive expert suggestions for field guides.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Swallows Spectacular on the Connecticut River
Essex, CT
September 17, 2022; 4:00 – 10:30 pm
A highlight of the birding year in Essex, Connecticut is the Tree Swallow concentrations that can be found each September and October on the river. During fall migration, thousands of swallows congregate on the lower Connecticut River and at sunset settle in on a giant communal roost. The birds come from as far away as 25 miles and converge at dusk, often creating a “ballet” and “funnel” of birds before and as they settle down to roost. Join Audubon on a river journey aboard the RiverQuest to see this spectacular display. Space is limited, so register early! (Deadline for registration is September 12, 2022.)
Departs from Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $80/member; $90/non-member Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Beeswax Wraps Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
September 17, 2022; 1:00 am – 2:30 pm
Single-use plastics fill up our oceans and landfills. Be part of the solution by making your own reusable, eco-friendly lunch wraps! Use cotton fabric, bees wax, buttons, and string to create a flexible wrap that can be used to transport food, cover bowls, and protect your leftovers. It's washable, keeps your food fresh, and smells great. No prior sewing or crafting skills are needed. All materials will be supplied to make two wraps per person, but if you have a favorite fabric or button you would like to use, bring it along! Skip the plastic wrap and sandwich bags—use your sustainable and stylish bees wax wrap instead.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: 16 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Bird Walk at Hunt’s Mills
Rumford, RI
Two Dates Offered
September 18, October 9, 2022; 8:30 – 9:30 am
Join an Audubon naturalist for an early morning bird walk at the historic Hunt’s Mills property in East Providence. Located along the Ten Mile River, this lovely park has big trees, gardens and a nature trail. Look for resident and migrating songbirds, as well as water birds in the river. Bring binoculars and wear sturdy walking shoes. Extra binoculars will be available. Advance registration required. Walks are weather dependent.
Hunt’s Mills, 65 Hunt’s Mills Road, Rumford, RI; September 18, October 9, 2022; 8:30-9:30 am; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Mammals of Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
September 19, 2022; 8:00 – 10:00 am
Enjoy a presentation on the mammals that call Caratunk home, then take a hike to Muskrat Pond. Be sure to wear boots and clothes suitable for the weather. Bring binoculars and camera.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $12/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Autumnal Equinox Hike
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
September 22, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Come on this leisurely hike and explore the changes of the season at Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge. Join an Audubon naturalist to search for wildlife and plants and learn their facts and folklore stories. Hike is easy/moderate with lots of stops for discussion. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $12/non-member. Ages: 9 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Last of the Right Whales: Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
September 22, 2022; 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Join Audubon for this award-winning documentary followed by a Q&A panel discussion with North Atlantic right whale scientists and members of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. “Last of the Right Whales” follows the North Atlantic right whale migration and the people committed to saving a species still struggling to recover from centuries of hunting. With unprecedented access to film the whale migration, “Last of the Right Whales” brings a message of hope about the most at-risk great whale on the planet. Produced by HitPlay Productions.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: Free, donations are welcome. Ages: Teen to Adult.
First Day of Fall: Evening Walk at Fort Wildlife Refuge
Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, North Smithfield, RI
September 22, 2022; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Come to Fort Wildlife Refuge for a relaxing evening walk. Enjoy the quiet and gentle sounds of early fall in the fields and woods. Dress for the weather and walking on forest trails.
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $12/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 9 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Venomous Snake Lecture
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
September 24, 2022; 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Join an Audubon naturalist to learn about venomous snakes! Discover how venom works, why are there no venomous snakes in Rhode Island, and what species are most deadly. There will be no live animals at this program.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Herbal Walk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
September 25, 2022; 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Join Audubon naturalist and herbalist Tina Lidano on a fall herbal walk to learn how to identify plants and their medicinal and ecological benefits.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member, $12/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Autumn Evening at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
September 29, 2022; 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Join Audubon at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge for a relaxing evening walk. Enjoy the quiet and gentle sounds of early fall in the fields and woods. Dress for the weather and walking on forest trails.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $12/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 9 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Li’l Peeps
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
September 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, 2022; 10:00-11:00 am
This popular program introduces children ages 18 months to 2 years to the delights of nature through age-appropriate, hands-on activities. Along with a nature lesson, activities may include nature walks, crafts, songs and stories. This is also a wonderful opportunity to make new friends with the other children and parents. Registration is required as space is limited and fills very quickly. Adults must accompany children and there are no refunds for missed classes. In order to maintain an age-appropriate program we ask that older siblings not accompany the parent/child team.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: for six-week series: $60/member child, $76/two member siblings; $65/non-member child, $82/two non-member siblings. Ages: 18 to 36 months. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Mushrooms for Beginners
Prudence Island, RI
September 29, 2022; 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Learn all about wild mushrooms and how to identify local species that grow on Prudence Island. This is a great beginner program! Joe Metzen of Audubon, your mushroom guide for the day, will give a presentation on mushrooms, background history, and tips on working with field guides. Following this introduction, take a hike in the woods to see what mushrooms can be found! Due to limited space, registration is required.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Audubon Block Island Birding Weekend
Block Island, RI
September 30 – October 2, 2022
Join Audubon for a weekend of unsurpassed fall birding. Block Island in autumn becomes the resting place for thousands of migrating birds. More than 125 species of birds have been seen here on fall weekends! Field trips for both novice and advanced birders led by experts are featured. Special programs include salt marsh field trips, bird banding demonstrations, and more. Cost of the weekend includes ferry fares, accommodations, most meals and programs.
Space is limited so please register early.
Block Island, RI; September 30 – October 2, 2022; Fee: $565/member; $595/ non-member. Ages: 16 and up. For more information and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar 

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